Ocean City cancels Memorial Day ceremony

Ocean City canceled its Memorial Day ceremony on Sunday, May 24, after town officials cited an unfavorable weather forecast. The event had been scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Firefighters Memorial at North Division Street and the Boardwalk, according to the town’s May 11 announcement. Local coverage on Sunday said the town called off the ceremony because of inclement weather, and an event listing said the cancellation was announced ahead of the program. ### Where and when had the ceremony been scheduled? The Town of Ocean City said on May 11 that the annual Memorial Day ceremony would be held on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Firefighters Memorial on North Division Street and the Boardwalk. The town said the event was intended to honor military service members who died in service. Ocean City event listings repeated the same time and location and described a traditional wreath-laying tribute as part of the program. (oceancitymd.gov) A separate local events page also listed the Sunday afternoon ceremony at North Division Street. ### What reason did officials give for canceling it? Local reports published Sunday said Ocean City canceled the ceremony because of the weather forecast. (oceancitymd.gov) Yahoo’s repost of the story said the town “decided to cancel” the event because of inclement weather, while WBOC reported that the town announced it was canceling the ceremony scheduled for Sunday. (oceancity.com) Delmarva Now, in a report republished by AOL, also said the ceremony was canceled due to the forecast. The reporting matched a cancellation notice on Ocean City’s tourism events page, which said, “Unfortunately, due to the weather,” the ceremony scheduled for Sunday had been canceled. (yahoo.com) ### What had been planned before the cancellation? Mayor Rick Meehan and Brig. Gen. Joed Carbonell-López had been scheduled to speak at the ceremony, according to event listings published before the cancellation. The program had also been set to include a performance by the 229th Maryland Army National Guard Band and skydivers delivering the American flag. (delmarvanow.com) The town’s earlier announcement said the ceremony would include a wreath-laying tribute. That release did not include the cancellation, but it established the original format and timing for the event before Sunday’s weather-related decision. ### Is anything still happening at the memorial site? Ocean City’s tourism event page said visitors can still stop by the Fireman’s Memorial at North Division Street during the weekend to view the military wreath display. (oceancity.com) The notice added that the ceremony itself would not go forward. The town’s website continued to carry its earlier press release about the planned ceremony as of Sunday, but the cancellation was reflected in local news reports and the event listing. (oceancitymd.gov) ### Where were residents likely to see updates? Ocean City operates an OC Alert system through Smart911 that the town says sends notifications about weather, traffic and other hazardous situations. (ococean.com) The town’s government website and event calendar also carry public notices and schedule information for municipal events. Memorial Day itself falls on Monday, May 25, 2026. (oceancitymd.gov) For Ocean City residents and visitors, the next official updates would be expected through the town’s website, event listings and alert channels as the holiday weekend continues. (oceancitymd.gov 1) (oceancitymd.gov 2)